Like Shinji in Evangelion and Akito in Nadesico, Shun Ukiya is an initially unprepossessing hero--a goofy kid who's read too many comic books. In 1969, as Japan enters its postwar economic boom, sinister alien invaders are... more &raquo attempting to take over the Earth. The lock-stepping aliens can only be defeated by the Gatekeepers, young men and women with the psychic power to channel energy from other dimensions. These teenagers are sought out and trained by the Earth Defense Force, A.E.G.I.S. Being recruited by A.E.G.I.S. forces Shun to face his troubled relationship with his late father and his family responsibilities. At the special high school, he meets other agents he'll be working with: mechanical whiz Megane, infantile musician Reiko, and Ruriko, whom he knew as a child. An appealing mixture of comedy and sci-fi adventure, Gatekeepers will appeal to fans of Evangelion, Nadesico, and Generator Gawl. Rated 13 Up: Violence, mildly risqué humor. --Charles Solomon&laquo less

Movie Reviews

Great series! Great DVD!

JWalk | United States | 08/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"1.) Episode 1 - Begin the Defense of the Earth - The invaders are after a machine (the gate power amplifier) that A.E.G.I.S. is transporting, and have caused A.E.G.I.S. a lot of losses in the process. Shirei, Commander of A.E.G.I.S., decides to use the best he has - Gatekeeper Ruriko Ikusawa. Unfortunately, when the invaders attack, she can't defeat them even with all her arrows. That's when Shun Ukiya enters the picture, ready to fight the invaders in order to protect his family. In result, he unconsciously calls up his own, though unknown, gate power.2.) Episode 2 - Stand up for Peace - Shun's shown around A.E.G.I.S. headquarters and is invited to join the Gatekeepers. He asks for more time to decide, to Ruriko's surprise. He has to move to another school, and away from his family, so it's something that he must consider carefully. Invaders are later reported attacking a type of gathering of the youth, the same gathering that Shun's sister and mom are at. Ruriko is sent to fight, and Shun follows on his own when he hears his family is in danger. After the battle, he finally reaches his decision on whether or not to join A.E.G.I.S. 3.) Episode 3 - Play the Dazzling Music - Shun and Ruriko are sent to investigate a potential recruit for the Gatekeepers. They meet Reiko Asagiri, a seemingly child-like and air-headed girl, who is said to cause people to see visions whenever they hear her play the piano. Ruriko and Shun attend her concert and confirm that they do in fact see visions when they hear her enchanting music. Invaders in the guise of humans, though, can't stand the music at all, so they come to put a final stop to it. Fantastic animation, woderful characters, and an intriguing plot, this is a great series, even though it does fit in to the "been there done that" category. The only thing that is actually unique about the series, is that it happens in 1969 as opposed to other series that are set in the present and future. Even though it does seem like you've seen it before, Gonzo still makes it fresh and exciting. Highly recommended."

Solid series

JWalk | 03/04/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This show is one among many recent mainstream anime. It will not appeal to those wishing their anime to push the limits, but it is perfect for, say, a run on cable television. I personally like the visual energy Gonzo puts into its shows, and because I am a fan of Gonzo, I am starting to collect this series. Gonzo, before 1998 and Blue Submarine no.6, was making animation for video games. It comes as no surprise that their shows are science, not art. These guys take formulas and churn out anime with lots of girls and CG and more girls and more CG and...you get the picture. It doesn't matter that some themes are rip-offs from Star Wars(Vandread) or Men in Black(Gatekeepers), Gonzo knows how to make lighthearted entertainment."

Gaaaaato Open.....

Farell | Chico, CA United States | 09/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first volume establishes the first three Gatekeepers - Shun, Ruripe (opps!) Ruriko-chan, and Reiko-chan.The basic plotline, teenagers with the ability to call up dimensional powers known as Gates to defeat a strange enemy, the Invaders. The series starts off very comedic at first then a little further on, it starts to get really serious (remember the name Reiji Kageyama).What's good about this DVD release?
- Has a reversible cover, which is the Japanese release of Gatekeepers DVD.
- As usual with DVDs, dual language.
- If you?re lucky, you get the A.E.G.I.S license card.What's bad about this DVD release?
- This is the first DVD Pioneer release that I have purchased that has the dreaded MACROVISION!!!!!All on all, Gatekeepers is a really fun series to watch. Can't wait to get the other DVDs and for the new Gatekeepers 21 series to begin. My favourite characters of the show are Bancho (literally means gang leader), who really livens up the show and Kaoru Konoe; both will be introduced in volume 2. Oh yeah, as you progress with the show, keep a look out for a reference to the Mahou Tsukai Tai series (the Japanese dialogue has it, we'll see if the dubbed version has it too?)."

A cute lighthearted action/comedy

Ronnie Clay | Winnsboro, Louisiana | 09/20/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Is Gatekeepers fine art? Hardly. Is it entertaining enough to check out, defintiely for those who have a sense of humor.

Basically the series follows a rather large group of teenagers with the ability to call forth energy for another dimension, called a Gate Ability. Of course giving a team of teenage heroes you need a villian to create chaos.

My favourite aspect was Reiji Kageyama, the dark gatekeeper. He is a little bit of every anime character rolled into me. He is smart and goes to take over Japan.

Rated 13 up: violence, mildly risque humor"

Good

The New Anime Critic | 01/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A few years ago I bought the first volume in the manga series. Basically, when I bought this I expected it to be an anime form of the manga but was slightly disappointed. The manga and anime are a lot diffrent, with diffrences in storyline, and characters mostly, but both are great. The anime series is funny, but still has a good plot, and some good action scenes, even if it wasn't much like the manga series, however diffrent they are in story."